The slave frees himself when, of all the relations of private property, he abolishes only the relation of slavery and thereby becomes a proletarian; the proletarian can free himself only by abolishing private property in general.

Ideas often kindle each other, like electrical sparks.

In a political struggle of class against class, organization of trade unions is the most important weapon.

Look at the Paris Commune. That was the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.

By the same right under which France took Flanders, Lorraine and Alsace, and will sooner or later take Belgium — by that same right Germany takes over Schleswig; it is the right of civilisation as against barbarism, of progress as against stability.

How do you think the transition from the present situation to community of Property is to be effected? The first, fundamental condition for the introduction of community of property is the political liberation of the proletariat through a democratic constitution.

I have learned more [from Balzac] than from all the professional historians, economists, and statisticians put together.